Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

BANDY, Moe

(b Marion Bandy, 12 Feb. '44, Meridian MS) Honky-tonk country singer, also half of duo Moe and Joe. Father played guitar, mother piano; grandfather worked on railroad with Jimmie Rodgers. Family moved to farm near San Antonio; Moe's father started a band '50. Moe tried rodeo riding, following several falls turned to music; TV series with own band the Mavericks in San Antonio. Went solo '72; with Ray Baker (formerly with Jim Reeves) made self- financed single 'I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today' on GRC label and made country top 20 '74. Further hits '74-- 5: 'Honky Tonk Amnesia', 'It Was Always So Easy To Find An Unhappy Woman', 'Doesn't Anybody Make Love At Home Anymore', 'Bandy The Rodeo Clown'. Moved to Columbia; 'Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life' made no. 2 on country chart. Toured with band the Rodeo Clowns nearly 250 days a year; more hits '76-- 7 incl. 'Here I Am Drunk Again', 'She Took More Than Her Share', 'I'm Sorry For You My Friend' (Hank Williams song), 'That's What Makes The Juke Box Play'. Named top new male vocalist by ACM '76; widely hailed for straight country presentation. Following appearance with Joe Stampley at Wembley (London) they recorded duets: album Just Good Ol' Boys, no. 1 country hits with title track and 'Holding The Bag' '79. Hey Joe! Hey Moe! album followed; both ACM, CMA named them vocal duo of the year '80. Moe's hits continued: 'It's A Cheating Situation', 'Following The Feeling' (duet with Judy Bailey), 'Yesterday Once More' '80. After ten years with Ray Baker, switched prod. to Blake Mevis for hits 'Motel Matches', 'The Horse That You Can't Ride'. Album with Joe Alive And Well had no. 1 hit 'Where's The Dress', spoof on Culture Club's 'Karma Chameleon'; they dressed in drag for shows and TV promotion. Many single hits are title tracks of LPs; others incl. Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life '76, Soft Lights And Hard Country Music '78, The Champ '80, 20 Great Songs Of The American Cowboy '82, Devoted To Your Memory '83, Keepin' It Country '86, You Haven't Heard The Last Of Me '87, Many Mansions '89. Moe and Joe also issued Live From Bad Bob's '85 on Columbia.